Description
The Copag 1546 Poker Size Jumbo Index Playing Cards represent over a century of Brazilian heritage merged with cutting-edge plastic card manufacturing. As the official playing card supplier to the World Series of Poker since 2006, Copag has set the global standard for professional-grade plastic playing cards. The 1546 design, with its elegant ornamental back pattern and jumbo index format, combines superior durability with the handling characteristics that serious poker players and tournament organizers worldwide depend upon.
A Century of Brazilian Excellence in Playing Cards
Copag's story began in 1908 when Albino Dias Gonçalves founded his printing company in downtown São Paulo, Brazil. What started as a graphic arts enterprise evolved into one of the world's most respected playing card manufacturers when the company began producing playing cards in 1918. The iconic Copag 139 deck, launched that same year, remains in production to this day—making it one of the oldest continuously manufactured decks in the world and a source of profound national pride in Brazil.
By the mid-2000s, when poker experienced an unprecedented global boom, Copag was perfectly positioned to lead the industry. In 2005, the World Series of Poker—poker's most prestigious tournament and the measuring stick for professional-grade standards—selected Copag as the official playing card supplier. That partnership has continued uninterrupted for nearly two decades, cementing Copag's status not as a competitor, but as the standard-bearer for tournament-quality playing cards.
Today, Copag is part of the Cartamundi Group, a global leader that manufactures 150 million decks annually across multiple continents. This corporate backing ensures the resources for continuous innovation while the Brazilian heritage preserves the craftsmanship and aesthetic sensibility that distinguish Copag from mass-market alternatives.
100% Plastic Construction: Durability Redefined
The Copag 1546 is manufactured from 100% PVC plastic—not plastic-coated paper or hybrid constructions, but pure polymer throughout. This represents a fundamental category advantage that translates into measurable performance benefits. Copag plastic cards outlast paper-based competitors by a factor of up to 50 times. A deck used in regular poker sessions can maintain pristine handling characteristics for months of use, whereas paper-based competitors deteriorate to the point of unplayability within weeks.
The plastic construction delivers specific functional advantages that serious players recognize immediately. The cards are immune to moisture damage—a spilled drink doesn't require deck replacement, only a quick wipe with a damp cloth. They resist marking and crimping, making them virtually unreadable to cheaters who rely on subtle physical alterations. And they shuffle with consistent glide through thousands of hands, never developing the wear patterns that paper cards exhibit after just a few sessions.
Jumbo Index: Professional Readability
The jumbo index—enlarged pip markings in the corners of each card—ensures rapid suit and rank identification, particularly critical in tournament play where decision speed matters. Players can read their hole cards with a single glance rather than requiring manipulation for clarity. This seemingly minor detail has profound tournament implications. Faster hand recognition reduces cognitive load, maintains game pace, and eliminates the micro-delays that accumulate across hundreds of hands.
Elegantly Ornamental Design With Institutional Authority
The back design features an ornamental pattern rendered in the selected color scheme. The intricate detailing creates visual depth while maintaining the sophistication expected in tournament environments. Unlike novelty decks or casual designs, the 1546 back communicates institutional authority—when players see the pattern, they immediately recognize professional-grade cards designed for serious play rather than casual entertainment.
The choice between blue and red backs is a matter of personal or tournament preference. Blue backs have historically been favored by professional tournaments in certain regions, while red backs maintain the classic aesthetic that transcends cultural preferences. Both color schemes are available in multiple variations (black/gold, green/burgundy, purple/gray, orange/brown), allowing tournament organizers and serious players to rotate through different color combinations across sessions.
Tournament Standard & Casino Certification
Copag cards meet or exceed the rigorous standards established by poker tournament operators worldwide. They perform identically to the cards used in the World Series of Poker main events, meaning serious players can train with the exact same equipment they'll face in high-stakes competition. This is a non-trivial advantage—muscle memory and familiarity with card feel directly impact tournament performance.
The plastic construction and mark-resistance have earned Copag certification across casino environments from Las Vegas to Macau to poker rooms across Europe. Tournament organizers specify Copag 1546 when they need to guarantee fair play while maintaining the visual consistency expected in professional settings.
Perfect For:
- Serious poker players maintaining multiple decks for tournament preparation
- Tournament organizers and poker clubs seeking professional-grade cards with proven durability
- Players training for high-stakes competition who want to use the exact same cards as WSOP tournaments
- Collectors documenting the evolution of plastic playing card technology
- Anyone seeking plastic cards that combine Brazilian heritage, cutting-edge manufacturing, and proven performance
- Casino and cardroom operators requiring mark-resistant, tournament-certified decks
The Institutional Choice of Poker Professionals
For nearly two decades, Copag has been the choice of the World Series of Poker and professional poker rooms worldwide. This isn't because Copag has the best marketing budget—it's because professional players and tournament organizers have collectively determined that Copag combines durability, handling excellence, mark-resistance, and institutional credibility better than any alternative.
The Copag 1546 represents that institutional standard translated into a deck available for personal use. When you choose Copag, you're choosing the same cards trusted by the poker world's most prestigious events—a tangible connection to tournament excellence and decades of proven performance.